Writers Colony Nigeria or NiWco for short is a community of young vibrant Nigerian writers committed to birthing, nurturing, grooming and launching the next generation of wordsmiths who believe in networking and putting team work amongst creatives at the fore to enable our passion yield profit. Come on this journey with us - we welcome readers and writers alike.
Please do leave a comment, subscribe and share what you like with your personal audience.

HISTORIC FRIDAY - MEET THE IGBOS

Igbo People.

Igbo is a language spoken by Igbo people of the Igbo ethnic
group, one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. The group is indigenous
to the Southeastern part of the country, mostly on the eastern side of the
Niger River, a region considered to be one of the most densely populated
regions in the whole of Africa.

Tribe

The Igbo people, natively called Ndi Igbo and also spelt as Ibo
or Eboe, are the third largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The tribe comes after
the second-placed Yoruba ethnic group from the western part of Nigeria and the
leading Fulani-Hausa ethnic group from the northern part of the country.

The exact population of the Igbo people is not fully known. The
CIA World Factbook, however, estimates that there are about 32 million. This
forms less than 20% of the total Nigerian population. The Hausa-Fulani account
for about 29%, while the Yoruba forms around 21% of the entire population.

Igbo people are native to five main states in Nigeria. They are
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu (it’s unofficial capital), and Imo State. The
Igbo’s, however, claim that their territory extends to present day Delta State
to the west and Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers State to the south. This is
backed up by the presence of native Igbo speakers in these states. Prominent
cities and towns where the Igbos reside include Owerri, Aba,

Abakaliki, Onitsha, Afikpo, Asaba, Orlu, Agbor, Umuahia, Okigwe,
Nsukka, and Port Harcourt. The Igbo people will also be found in cities outside
Igboland such as Lagos, and Abuja. For many centuries, the Igbo people have
always lived in peace with their neighboring communities that consist of the
Ibibio, Nupe, Ijo, Idoma, Igala, and Ekoi people. Igbo people are said to be
the most dispersed ethnic community in Nigeria. This migration started in the
early days of the slave trade and continues to be felt to this day.

Well known and famous African-American figures have laid claim
as being Igbo. This has been based on DNA profiling. Notable people include the
world-renowned Bishop T.D. Jakes, as well as famous actors who include Paul
Robeson, Forest Whittaker, and also Blair Underwood.

Igbo people are mostly traders, farmers, and craftsmen, with
Agriculture being the most dominant activity. The main crops farmed in the
region constitutes yam, taro, cassava, and fruit of the palm tree. The yam is
the main staple food which is also exported to neighboring regions. There is
also an annual celebration that is held to mark the harvesting of yams. Over
time, people have been turning to cultivating the fruit of the palm due to its
palm oil. The palm crop is the leading cash crop in the region owing to